Trustee Apologizes After False Accusation | Bakersfield News

Fresno Unified trustee Keshia Thomas has issued a public apology to former coach Don Arax, admitting she falsely accused him of using a racial slur against her son in 2022 — an incident she claimed happened in 2013. The fallout includes pressure from the Fresno Teachers Association demanding her resignation over lost public trust, as well as her son’s testimony that the alleged event never occurred. Thomas now acknowledges her information was wrong and regrets her statements, saying she would not have spoken out if she’d known the truth. Arax’s defamation lawsuit remains active, set to begin December 7, while the district seeks dismissal from the case — a motion scheduled for October 7. A judge previously denied Thomas’s request to be dismissed. The teachers’ union also demands transparency on legal costs and board decisions tied to the case, as accountability continues to shape this unfolding drama. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/37787838b3e807a5